The DUP has urged greater openness from the Chief Constable over policing decisions surrounding the illegal Garvaghy Road blockade and the advice to the Secretary of State that culminated in the Drumcree parade being banned.

A party delegation met the Chief Constable on 13 October 2026. Those attending were party leader Gavin Robinson, Upper Bann representatives Carla Lockhart MP, Jonathan Buckley MLA and Diane Dodds MLA, together with Policing Board lead Trevor Clarke MLA.

After the meeting, DUP leader Gavin Robinson said: "We have been clear about the need for full transparency from Chief Constable about both the investigations into those who broke the law on the Garvaghy Road and the threats which influenced his referral to the Secretary of State which ultimately saw the parade banned. Legal proceedings are ongoing which involve the PSNI and they will be answerable to that process. Through this we will also learn more than has been made public to date. As it stands the action taken on the Garvaghy Road may be viewed by some as a guidebook to frustrate any other lawful determination from the Parades Commission. That perception cannot be allowed to succeed and that is a task which only the police can achieve.

"There will be no chance of repairing damage to confidence in policing if the public cannot fully understand the threat that was posed to public order, where it emanated from and a demonstration that the law will be enforced."

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart added: "The Chief Constable was left in no doubt about the real anger that exists amongst people that lawbreaking has been seen to win. It is impossible to fix a problem unless you first admit that it exists.

"The public were able to see for themselves what happened on the Garvaghy Road and the elements that were present there. Policing depends on public support and that will not be repaired unless the law is not only applied but seen to apply also."